porch_reader's 2010 reading - part 2

It's time for a new thread.

My first thread for 2010 is here.

My goals for the year are:

#1 - Read more books that are currently on my shelves - especially those that my mom has loaned me.
Progress: Fair

#2 - Continue the habit of reading chapter books to my boys before bed. We've gotten in the habit of doing this over the past couple of months, and we all enjoy it!
Progress: Great!

#3 - Read more good nonfiction. I joined the U.S. Presidents challenge last year and promptly got sidetracked. I'm going to get back on track by reading a biography each month, starting with Theodore Roosevelt.
Progress: Fair

#4 - Read more classics. I have the partially formed idea that I may try to read a classic that was published during the Presidential administration about which I am reading that month. So, to start, I'm planning to read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, which was published during Theodore Roosevelt's administration.
Progress: Fair

#5 - Continue to follow your recommendations to great fiction. I was pretty happy with my fiction reading last year. This year, I'd like to read more by favorite authors (John Irving, Edwidge Danticat, Barbara Kingsolver, etc.). I'd also like to read some new-to-me authors (Colum McCann, Alice Munro, etc.).
Progress: Poor - but hoping to change that this month

#6 - Keep up with a manageable number of group reads, including the book club at my local library.
Progress: Good

#7 - Be willing to amend these goals if life takes me in a different direction!

I like the update on your goals, Amy. Way to go! Especially the #2 goal of reading chapter books to your boys. My "kids" are in their 30's and they still enjoy reading and talk about some of the books we read together.

Great list of goals! Good luck.

Found you again! Love your goals list.

Hi. I don't think I've posted on your thread before, but I just want to say how much I like your goals - I love that they're not specific books, which means you are not going to be upset by new suggestions coming your way, and I love that you have goals at all, because I myself am very goal oriented but haven't been able to get beyond "read a lot of books" - I'll have to try harder next year. Anyway, good luck with those very interesting goals.
Janet

>2 Donna828: - Hi Donna! I meant to do a more complete review of my progress on my goals (# of books that apply to each, etc.), but I got sidetracked dying Easter eggs. How cool that your "kids" still talk about books you read with them. I do the same with books my mom read to us - Uncle Wiggly, the Bobbsey Twins, the Five Dolls.

>3 Whisper1: & 4 - Hi Linda and Stasia - I'd like to nominate both of you for the best Welcome Wagon people ever! You are always there to help me christen a new thread.

>5 JanetinLondon: - Janet - Thanks for stopping by! This is the first year I've articulated my goals, and I'm glad that I did. I like to be flexible because sometimes I just run across a book that I have to read right away, but the goals have given me some structure too.

#6: Nominate Linda. "Whisper's Welcome Wagon" has such a nice ring to it.

>2 Donna828: Donna, I have the same experiences. My favorite times are the days my son visits from Tennessee (tonight! Yay!). We will sit up till all hours just talking about the books we've read since we last saw each other, pulling books out of his bag and off of my shelves to trade. It is great fun, and I blame it on all the reading I did to the boys when they were younger. Keep it up, Amy!

Oh, I miss reading chapter books to B. A month or two ago he started demanding children's books before bed instead of the novels we were reading, and my tolerance for repetition isn't as great as it could be. I'll have to keep a closer eye to see what you're reading your boys - maybe B and I can come to a compromise.

Found you, starred you.... and skipped out to enjoy the sunshine... back later

*starred*

May I comment on House of Sand and Fog from your old thread? It's been quite a while since I read it. I can't say I "enjoyed" the book, but I was very impressed by it. I was amazed by how realistic the voices of the different POV characters were. And, while I didn't like the characters, I could see how they each arrived at where they were and what they were doing and understand how they misunderstood each other, if that makes sense.

>7 alcottacre: - Stasia - I do like the sound of that!

>8 tloeffler: - Terri - I hope that you had a good visit with your son. We went to my parents this week, and I came back with a bag full of books that my mom has finished - including Half Broke Horses, The Help, and Stones into Schools. I took The Moonflower Vine and The Shadow of the Wind to her. Trading is great!

>9 London_StJ: - Luxx - I know what you mean. I feel a little guilty because I really enjoy reading to my third-grade son much more than I enjoy reading to my kindergarten son. The books I'm reading to my third-grade son have a lot more plot and substance to them. Somehow I just can't get into Captain Underpants quite as much!

>10 cameling: - Caroline - Hope you enjoyed the sunshine. We had lots of it over the weekend, but it's gone now.

>11 tymfos: - Terri - Thanks for your comment on House of Sand and Fog. I like the way you put it. It wasn't a story that I would say I liked, but I thought it was well written!

Thanks, everyone, for stopping by!

Oops, you moved, so I'm moving my post as well.

I don't think I've ever been as angry after reading a book as I was after reading The House of Sand and Fog. I HATED the character of Kathy. I kind of have a thing with weak women who for some reason think they are owed something by the world and expect someone else to take care of them. Whine, whine, whine.

Found you too!

I have to echo Deborah's sentiment. When I was done with Sand and Fog, I wanted to throw it across the room. Kathy was a whiner.

I am taking The House of Sand and Fog out of the BlackHole. I would have to get it from the library and they might get angry about me pitching another book at the wall :)

Deborah

That is exactly why I did not like the characters in Ethan Fromme...She was a manipulator...He was a passive whimp....

#13 - I totally agree with you. Kathy is one of my most hated fictional characters. I rarely pitch a book at the wall, but The House of Sand and Fog got pitched a couple of times. Why did I pick it back up?
The only other book I remember pitching in the last couple years was The Time Travelers Wife...

Just found your new thread and enjoyed reading your update on your goals!

17> I never got around to The Time Traveler's Wife, but, unfortunately, I saw the movie during a long plane ride. I didn't have a book to hurl (but it made me feel like hurling . . . ).

#17 nittnut - You are not alone on your sentiments about The Time Traveler's Wife. Though I liked her second book, Her Fearful Symmetry, very well.

I also hated Middlesex. Darn few of us around.

#20 Well, Middlesex was just weird. Not much else to say there.

#19 I thought the movie Time Traveler's Wife was better than the book, they cut out the truly revolting bits, but so random. I really felt like the author had too many things going on. Like it was 2 or 3 books instead of one. Not sure if I'm up for her second book.

(Raising hand) I tried to get through Middlesex--twice. But I never made it. And because I'm originally from Detroit, I really expected to like it. Not!

21> If the movie was better than the book, the book must be a real stinker! I swapped away my pristine copy, unread.

Hi everyone! I'm so glad that you've carried on chatting - I've been so behind this week that I haven't gotten much LT time. But I have GOOD news. My tenure got approved!!! In July, I'll be an Associate Professor of Management.

Now, as for books, I agree that Kathy in House of Sand and Fog was a whiner. But the Sheriff (Lester) is the character that I disliked most. He seemed so wishy-washy. Even so, I did find them believable, if not likable. I would have been nice to have someone to root for though.

I actually loved The Time Traveler's Wife - although it's been several years since I read it, so I don't remember much about why. I haven't seen the movie. And I've read several bad reviews of Her Fearful Symmetry, so Jill, I'm glad to know that you liked it. Maybe I'll try it.

I haven't read Middlesex, although it's on the vague TBR list that I keep in my head. But I'm not rushing out to get it now. And that's probably for the best, given that I haven't finished a single book this month. I'm getting close on a few, but kindergarten soccer and 3rd grade baseball both start this weekend, so not much reading time! Maybe I'll start doing recaps of soccer and baseball games instead of book reviews.

Congrats on your tenure!!!!!

Well I'm going to have to part bways with some of the posts here:

I didn't hate House of Sand and Fog at all but then I actually gravitate toward dark novels. And I actually loved the quirky characters and implausible plot line of Middlesex even though I had to suspend disbelief for parts of it. The Time Traveler's Wife didn't appeal to me at all and got dumped after 50 or so pages.

I actually envy you just getting started on baseball Amy. Some of my fondest memories of my son's life took place on the baseball diamond. Great friends and great fun.

Echoing congratulations on your tenure!! :)

Congratulations on getting tenure!! That's fantastic.

Hooray! Nothing like job security!

Congrats!

Thanks everyone! I feel very relieved about tenure. We really like Iowa and are happy to have the opportunity to stay here.

And in sports news, my kindergartner scored 4 goals in his soccer game Saturday morning. And my third graders' baseball team won both ends of a double header this afternoon - 10-3, 8-0.

Whoo-hooo... way to go! Congratulations on your tenure!

Chiming in with a great love of Middlesex, no desire to read The Time Traveler's Wife which perhaps allowed me to enjoy Her Fearful Symmetry when I read it on vacation this year and a copy of The House of Sand and Fog languishing somewhere.

Congrats to both your kids. My 4 year old son scored 5 goals in his first soccer game - 3 of which were even for his team. It is so much fun to watch the little ones play.

Book #42 - Prodigal Summer - Barbara Kingsolver - Finished April 9, 2010

Categories: fiction, borrowed from Mom
Pages: 444

Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors. I love her fiction - including her first novel, The Bean Trees, and her latest, The Lacuna - and her nonfiction - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and Small Wonder. I had not read Prodigal Summer and approached it with great anticipation. While it is not my favorite of her books, I still enjoyed it quite a lot.

In Prodigal Summer, Kingsolver weaves together the stories of three people living in southern Appalachia. While each of the main characters deals with love and loss and the trials of everyday life, it is not the plot that drives this book. Kingsolver is at her best when she describes her characters' relationships with each other and with nature. The relationships in this book are varied. An 80-year-old man comes to understand his 75-year-old neighbor lady. A young widow befriends her 10-year-old niece. A divorced forest ranger falls in love with a man wandering through her territory. And in each of these cases, we understand the characters better through the ways that they relate with each other and with the world around them.

Kingsolver's characters clearly share her views about the importance of caring for the natural world. As a result, some may find the story dogmatic. Perhaps because I share Kingsolver's views, this did not bother me at all. Instead, I found Prodigal Summer an interesting illustration of the challenges that occur when humans and nature interact.

Book #43 - Junie B., First Grader: Dumb Bunny - Barbara Park - Finished April 10, 2010

Categories: juvenile, read aloud
Pages: 119

A holiday read-aloud with my kindergartner. Junie B. goes to an Easter party at richie Lucille's house. I love the reactions of Lucille's parents and grandma as they try to corral 20 first-graders. Another winner from Barbara Park!

>31 cameling: - Thanks, Caroline!

>32 nancyewhite: - Nancy - I am now convinced that I must read Middlesex, if for no other reason than all of the differing reactions to it. And congrats to your soccer-star son. My husband, who coaches my son's team, starts every quarter by having everyone point at their goal. I do LOVE little kid soccer!

#33: Adding that one to the BlackHole. Thanks for the recommendation, Amy.

Neither one of my girls played sports, a bit of a disappointment for both their parents (I played every sport available to girls at the time I was growing up although you could not tell it from looking at me now), so I missed being able to go to the games and cheer them on. I hope you and your kids continue to enjoy their early sports careers :)

>25 brenzi:: Well said, soul sister! Dark books don't scare me, but Time Traveler's Wife was downright scary with the stalking of the young girl at the beginning. I managed to finish it, but didn't see the appeal in it that so many did.

>33 porch_reader:: Amy, I agree with you that Prodigal Summer was not a plot-driven book. Kingsolver has a natural affinity for the land and animals. I'm a sucker for good nature writing, and this is one of the good ones.

A late congratulations on your tenure, Amy!

And on the soccer goals and baseball wins! My sons' sporting years were some fun times!

>36 alcottacre: - Stasia - I'm like your girls and didn't play many sports either, but I enjoy watching my boys.

>37 Donna828: - Donna - I agree! Kingsolver is great at nature writing. Prodigal Summer had some great descriptions in it.

>38 tloeffler: - Thanks, Terri! We're off to another game tonight. My 3rd grader is pitching!

I've been out of town, just getting caught up!

Congratulations on tenure - that's fantastic!

I am going to read Prodigal Summer. It sounds great. I don't tend to like being lectured to, but I can usually tolerate it from Barbara...

>40 nittnut: - Thanks, Jenn! I'll be interested to hear what you think of Prodigal Summer when you get to it.

Book #44 - Thirteen Moons - Charless Frazier - Finished April 12, 2010

Categories: fiction, audio
Pages: 432

Will Cooper has lived an interesting life. As an orphan, he became a "bound boy" responsible for running a trading post in the Cherokee Nation. Will is smart and resourceful. He becomes a lawyer, a white Indian chief, a state Senator, a Civil War Colonel, and a large land holder. Will's story, told in reflection with the perspective and wisdom of age, was more than enough to hold my attention. But Frazier also does an amazing job of using Will's story to tell the story of the American frontier in the 1800's.

There were places where the pace of the story lagged a bit. Will's relationships (with his adopted father Bear, with his true love Claire) were among the most interesting parts of the story for me. And when these characters faded into the background, my attention waned. But overall I would recommend this book, especially for fans of historical fiction.

Your review makes the book sound alot more interesting than the jacket description when I looked at it in the bookstore last week. hmm..... now I'm wavering .... maybe I'll add it to the fringe of my wish list .

Book #45 - The Report Card - Andrew Clements - Finished April 13, 2010

Categories: YA, read aloud
Pages: 173

My third-grade son loves Andrew Clements. This is the third of Clements' books that we've read recently. Like many of Clements' books, this one is set in a fifth grade classroom. Nora Rowley is gifted, but tries to hide this fact. She is concerned about all of the emphasis that is placed on test scores, and to make this point, she underachieves and brings home a report card filled with D's.

The pace of this book was a little slow. It felt as though the major plot points were repeated several times with small variations. But it did open the door for my son and me to have very frank discussion about grades and tests. If for no other reason, that made this book more than worth the time we spent reading it.

>43 cameling: - Caroline - The fringe of the wish list seems like a good place for Thirteen Moons. I listened to it on audio, and so I think I was a little more patient with it than I would have been in print. Parts of the story were very interesting, but other places were a bit slow. Still, there was something that I really liked about Will, and that kept me engaged.

#42: I will give that one a try some time, although I do not think I will rush out and pick it up at the library. I am going to be reading Cold Mountain in the next few weeks (finally), so perhaps a bit after that one.

#42 - I've been stuck on Thirteen Moons for awhile. I found it hard to get into, and so it's languishing on the bedside table. Occasionally I look at it and think, "should I just stick you down in the bookcase?" but then I leave it there. Thanks for the review, I may just pick it up and finish it. It definitely fits in my 1010 category of "Books Gathering Dust" (:

>46 alcottacre: - Stasia - I have Cold Mountain on my TBR list too (and actually have a copy that I picked up at a library book sale). But I think I'll wait a bit before reading it.

>47 nittnut: - Jenn - That's interesting because I think that I would have put Thirteen Moons down halfway through if I hadn't been listening to it as an audio book. There was a part in the middle that was really slow for me. I often read two or three actual books at the same time, so if one is slow, it easily gets pushed aside by another one. But that doesn't happen as easily for me with audio books.

Book #46 - The Unnamed - Joshua Ferris - Finished April 15, 2010

Category: Recent Fiction
Pages: 301

I liked Ferris's first novel, Then We Came to the End, when I read it a couple of years ago. I do research on people's experiences at work, and I'm fascinated when fiction writers turn their eye to our lives at work. So, when Ferris's second novel, The Unnamed, came out last year, I was interested enough to read the reviews, but I wasn't sure that this book was for me. The book is about Tim Farnsworth, a happily married lawyer who has a disease that compels him to walk without stopping until he drops from exhaustion. Based on that synopsis, I was skeptical. Would Tim be a believable character, even with his unusual affliction? And could the details of Tim's disease really hold my interest for 300 pages?

With those reservations, I didn't buy the book. Instead, it found me. As is often the case, The Unnamed jump off the library shelf into my stack last week. Checking a book out from the library implies almost no commitment at all. I would just read a chapter or two, I thought. And then I was hooked.

First of all, I have to admit that I didn't love this book for its plot. The story of how Tim's disease impacted his work and his relationships was interesting for a while, but this book did not have a plot that just pulled me along. In fact, the pace was quite slow in the middle. But I didn't miss the urgency of a plot-driven story at all because this book was a powerful reflection on how we create and negotiate an identity for ourselves.

When Tim's disease interferes with his work and his relationships, he finds core parts of his identity falling away. He is no longer a partner in a law firm, a loving husband, or a caring father. And Tim's experiences made me think a lot about my own identity, especially the parts that I take for granted. If Tim had been faced with a more common illness, like cancer, I'm not sure that I would have seen myself in his story as clearly. But because Tim's illness is so rare, I was not preoccupied with fear that his plight might be mine someday. Instead I was more aware of how lucky I am to have a fulfilling job, a wonderful family, and fabulous friends. Tim works very hard to hold on to his identity. It made me realize how precious these things are.

But I have to end this review with a big caveat. I found this book powerful less for the story that is between its covers and more because of the ideas that it caused me to consider. My reaction to this book was intensely, and unusually, personal. I'm not sure that everyone will find these ideas in The Unnamed. It was just one of those right-book-at-the-right-time experiences for me. Sometimes books know what they are doing when they jump from the library shelves. And on this, the last day of National Library Week, I feel lucky that I have access to such great libraries that match me up with books like this one.

#49: I did not care for Then We Came to the End - I gave up less than 100 pages into it - so I do not think I will be picking that one up. I am glad that you liked the book though.

I gave up on Then We Came to the End but I think I might try again. Porch-reader it might have been you who said I should stick with it because it gets better. I heard Ferris interviewed about his new book on a podcast (NYT I think) and it sounded interesting.

>50 alcottacre: & 51 - Stasia and Cushla - I know that a lot of people didn't like Then We Came to the End. I actually think that with both that book and The Unnamed, I liked the beginning of the story better and felt like things got a little over-the-top toward the end. I'm fascinated by Ferris's writing though. I think I'll read whatever he write next, just out of curiosity.

Book #47 - Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom - Eric Wight - Finished April 22, 2010

Categories: read-aloud, juvenile
Pages: 79

Frankie Pickle is a little boy who imagines that everyday experiences are super hero adventures. Frankie's story is told in chapters, but when he becomes a superhero, the book's format changes to comics. Frankie is a very likable character and the switch from chapters to comics and back again kept the story fresh and interesting. My six-year-old son Matt loved this one!

Matt's hanging out with me tonight and wants to add his assessment: "My favorite part was when the baby was big and Wonder Pickle was small."

Book #48 - Woodrow Wilson: A Biography - John Milton Cooper, Jr. - Finished April 22, 2010

Categories: presidential biographies
Pages: 702

I've been working my way through this one for a few weeks now. It is a very complete biography of Woodrow Wilson, and although it took me a while to finish, I really enjoyed this book.

First of all, Wilson's story is a fascinating one. Before entering politics, Wilson was a political scholar and the president of Princeton University. He was elected President of the United States in 1912, defeating the incumbent William Howard Taft and former President Theodore Roosevelt. His early years in office were marked by a focus on domestic legislation that advanced the Progressive cause. His first term was marred by the death of his wife Ellen. Just over a year later, he married Edith Gault. Although Wilson tried to maintain the U.S.'s neutrality, in 1917 the U.S. entered World War I. After World War I, Wilson traveled to Paris to attempt to negotiate a peace treaty that would prevent future wars. He advocated for a League of Nations. However, as he was traveling through the U.S. to gain support for the treaty, he suffered a stroke. Although he remained in office until the end of his term, Wilson's power was diminished, and the peace treaty was not ratified by Congress. Three years after leaving office, Wilson died and was buried in the basement of the future Washington National Cathedral.

With such an eventful presidency, it's hard to imagine a biography of Wilson that wouldn't be fascinating. Cooper did a good job of provide detail and context for the major events of Wilson's life. He pays special attention to Wilson's relationships with a number of close aides and with his wife, Edith, who was very involved in political affairs, especially after Wilson's stroke. At times, Cooper contrasts his generally favorable point-of-view of Wilson with less favorable portrayals by others scholars. It might have been nice to see more support for these conclusions. But this is a minor issue. Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a complete look at the life of this fascinating President.

Frankie Pickle sounds like a great addition to my kid's TBR list.

Thanks especially to Matt! Always good to get kid review.

The Unnamed sounds quite interesting .. hmmm.... I might need to add this to my wish list

#52: I doubt I will ever go back to reading Then We Came to the End. I do not want to have to wade through all the stuff I did not like just to get to stuff I might possibly like. Life is too short :)

Book 49 - Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It - Maile Meloy - Finished April 24, 2010

Categories: short stories, current fiction
Pages: 219

It's going to be one of those weeks this week. I'll attend at least 7 baseball games, 3 church meetings, and a dissertation defense. There's no way that I'll get a chance to write a proper review of this book. And that's a shame. Because I'd like to convince you to read it. Maybe I can do it in the six minutes that I have before I need to switch the baseball pants from the washer to the dryer. Here goes. . .

First, in this collection of short stories, each of the stories is tied together by a common thread. The main character is caught between two possibilities - fidelity and adultery, truth or lies, being a kid or being an adult. These may sound like run-of-the-mill topics, but in the hands of Meloy, they are not. There is no obvious direction, no proper choice. Both ways is the only way these characters want it, and although I met them only a few pages ago, I empathize with their dilemmas.

Second, the stories are written in straightforward, yet beautful prose. Meloy is writing about people like you and me, and the style that she uses to tell their stories is consistent with that. No flowery sentences here. Just clear, crisp writing, with every word chosen for a reason. What a joy to read! Meloy also doesn't feel the need to wrap up these stories in neat packages. Instead, we spend time with the characters, often leaving them before a resolution has been reached.

I could tell you my favorite stories ("Red from Green," "Liliana," "O Tannenbaum," "The Children"), but it was really the eleven stories as a package that were so powerful. Each one different from the last, but each layering complexity to the choices that we face in life.

This is one of the best books I've read this year.

Wow! You did a great job convincing me Amy. I think I remember seeing it also on some of the Best of 2009 lists. Onto my pile it goes :)

The 6 minute sell... adding to my pile.

#58: This is one of the best books I've read this year.

Enough said! Into the BlackHole it goes!

You've persuaded me - it doesn't take much though, I'm very drawn to short story collections.

ditto message 59, 60, 61 and 62. And, again, congratulations on your tenure!!!!

>59 brenzi:-63 - Yea! I hope that all of you like Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It (when it makes it to the top of your TBR piles).

>63 Whisper1: - Thanks, Linda! Is your semester almost over? I have one more week of classes and then finals week (lots of grading)!

Book #50 - Three to Get Deadly - Janet Evanovich - Finished April 27, 2010

Category: audio, series
Pages: 396

When I see one of the Stephanie Plum series on audio at the library, I usually grab it. The series is pretty entertaining, and it works well for me on audio. But the order that I listen to the books tends to be pretty random. Lately, I've been listening to the more recent books in the series, so it was interesting to go back to this earlier one.

The plot of Three to Get Deadly was pretty good - fast-paced with some suspense. And even in this early book of the series, Stephanie is a pretty well-developed character. But the supporting cast - Ranger, Joe Morelli, Grandma Mazur - all played pretty small roles. They are much more interesting in the later books in the series.

But in the end, I enjoyed it - a good escapist listen.

Book #51 - Taran Wanderer - Lloyd Alexander - Finished April 28, 2010

Categories: YA, group read
Pages: 218

Book 4 in the Chronicles of Prydain. I continue to enjoy this series. In this book, Taran's character develops nicely. Taran and Gurgi go on a quest to try to figure out who Taran's parents are. Although there is a little fighting along the way, this book is primarily driven by Taran's inner conflicts. I missed Eilonwy in this book, but I felt like more happened in this book than in any of the previous three. And I liked the ending. I'm excited to read the final book in the series next month.

Book #52 - Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks - Wendy Laura Belcher - Finished April 29, 2010

Categories: Work
Pages: 376

I've been asked to be on a panel at a conference of Management professors this summer. The panel topic is how to be a productive junior faculty member (during your first six years as a professor). We're supposed to give new junior faculty tips about how to be productive researchers while keeping up with teaching commitments and committee work. I'm not sure that I've got many tips, so I've been reading a few books to see what other people have to say.

Wendy Belcher's book caught my eye because 12 weeks is a pretty quick turnaround for a journal article. What I didn't know is that she assumes you've already got a rough draft. Her target audience is graduate students who may have written papers for classes or conferences and now want to turn them into journal articles. She writes for a broad range of disciplines (humanities and social science), so at times I found large parts of chapters that just didn't apply to the practices used in my discipline. But there were a number of elements of the book that I found very useful. Belcher includes a very good chapter on strengthening your argument, as well as a systematic set of steps to work through revising a paper.

Bottom line - This is a good resource for graduate students or early career professors in the humanities or social sciences.

#67: I've been asked to be on a panel at a conference of Management professors this summer.

Congratulations! Sounds like all kinds of good things are happening for you career-wise, Amy.

Thanks, Stasia! The conference of Management professors that I go to every summer is very good about having panels to help us learn from each other. I'll have the chance to hear some more senior professors talk about their strategies for success too. Plus, I'll get to go to Quebec!

I found this book powerful less for the story that is between its covers and more because of the ideas that it caused me to consider. My reaction to this book was intensely, and unusually, personal.

That's what I love most about reading! :-)

Just caught up on your postings--I lost you when you changed threads. I went back to your old one, and I guess I just missed that little "here." I wish I had been around when you were talking about Thirteen Moons. Now it just seems like "old news" but will say that I had to listen to most of it on audiotape before I got interested in it enough to want to go back to the beginning and read it for myself. When I slowed down and read it with the cadence of (I forget the actor's name)'s voice in my head, I enjoyed Frasier's writing so much more. Makes me wonder how many books I've "missed" because I read them too fast.

A belated, but heartfelt, congrats on achieving tenure!

Oops! Left out some punctuation.

Bonnie - I completely agree about needing to get into the cadence of Thirteen Moons to really be able to enjoy it. Most of the time, I don't think that I get as much out of an audio book as if I read it myself, but in this case, I definitely enjoyed Thirteen Moons more because of the reader.

Book #53 - Three Bags Full - Leonie Swann - Finished May 3, 2010

Categories: group read
Pages: 341

This was the May book for my book club. I had heard about it when it came out, and at the time, it aroused my interest. A mystery in which a shepherd is killed and the sheep try to find the murderer - it seemed like a clever premise. But the book doesn't quite deliver.

There were a few things that I liked about the book. The sheep are incredibly interesting characters with distinct talents and personalities. Swann does a good job telling the story through their eyes, providing details (types of grass, different scents) that sheep would notice. And there are some pretty funny moments, mostly based on human-sheep misunderstandings.

But much of the plot was a bit fuzzy to me (pun intended). Perhaps that is because the story is being told from the perspective of sheep. Even so, it was difficult to piece together the story, and the whodunit seemed to come out of the blue. Most everyone in my book group was somewhat on the fence about this one.

Book #54 - The Wild Things - Dave Eggers - Finished May 5, 2010

Categories: current fiction
Pages: 288

This is another book that got my attention when it first came out. I love the children's book, Where the Wild Things Are, but I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel version. So, I didn't buy it, but when I found it on the shelf at my library, I decided to give it a try.

In short, I loved it.

Eggers does an amazing job expanding on small details of the book in clever ways. He uses lines and scenes from the children's book, and provides texture and depth in ways that are sometimes surprising, but always feel true to the original story. Eggers helps us understand why Max acts out at the beginning of the story and convincingly captures the perspective of a boy. He also creates an amazing world where the Wild Things are and gives each of the Wild Things a distinct personality. I was as captivated by this book as I was by the original.

By the way, I forgot to post my April reading summary. (Yes, it's been one of those weeks!)

Summary of April Reading:

Total: 11 books

2 non-fiction (Goal 3)
6 fiction
3 read-aloud to my kids (Goal 2)

0 off the shelf (Goal 1)
2 borrowed from Mom (Goal 1)
3 from my TBR list (Goal 5)
1 group reads (Goal 6)
1 presidential biography (Goal 3)
0 classics (Goal 4)

Best book of the month: Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It

#73: I will have to give that one a try if my local library ever gets hold of it.

I like your comments about Three Bags Full. I have a copy of my own to read here, and I'm immensely curious as to what I'll think of it... looking forward to those human/sheep misunderstandings the most!

>75 alcottacre: - Stasia - I hope that you're able to get your hands on The Wild Things.

>76 dk_phoenix: - Faith - I'll be interested to hear what you think of Three Bags Full!

Book #55 - Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus - Barbara Park - Finished May 6, 2010

Category: Read-aloud
Pages: 69

This is the first in the Junie B. Jones series, and it's a good one! Now that my kindergarten son is almost a first grader and is an old pro at riding the bus, I figured it was safe to read him this book about Junie B.'s bus experience on her first day of kindergarten. Like all of the other books in this series, this one is good for some laughs!

Book #56 - Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity - Adam Hamilton - Finished May 8, 2010

Category: religious
Pages: 110

This was a re-read for me. It is the basis for a class that I'm facilitating at church. Adam Hamilton presents a biblical-based approach to financial management. The book combines practical tips about managing debt and savings with an emphasis on determining where true joy lies.

Book #57 - The 39 Clues: One False Note - Gordon Korman - Finished May 8, 2010

Category: read-aloud
Pages: 174

When the Easter Bunny left this book in my third grade son's basket, I knew that we would be reading it soon. After we read the first book in the 39 Clues series, we were hooked. This book (#2 in the series) takes us on another journey with Amy and Dan Cahill as they learn about their family heritage and search for clues on a high-stakes treasure hunt. Despite the fact that this book is written by a different author than the first one, it has the same fast-paced style. Dan and Amy are faced with one challenge after another. We were on the edge of our seats throughout the book and can't wait to read the next one. My son gave me Book #3 for Mother's Day, and we're starting it tonight!

It's always a big plus if a children's book can engage adults, too. How cute that he gave you a book that you will read together!

You've had some good reads lately. I think Enough: Discovering Joy through Simplicity and Generosity sounds lovely. I've been thinking on this subject a great deal as I have been cleaning out cupboards and bedrooms (Spring). We have too much stuff, and I want the money I spent on it back! (:

I am currently reading book 5 in the 39 Clues series, The Black Circle, so I am enjoying the series as well. I am glad to hear that you and your son are liking it, Amy.

>81 mamzel: - Yes, he and his brother both gave me books that we can read-aloud together. Matt actually had to give me my Mother's Day present on Sat night, so that we could go ahead and start it.

>82 nittnut: - Jenn - I know exactly what you mean. Our church just had a rummage sale, and we took a truckload of stuff down.

>83 alcottacre: - Stasia - I'm glad to hear that the 39 Clues series continues to be good. I'm excited to read more!

#84: Of the 39 Clues books I have read, I thought book 3 was the weakest by far. All of the others I have enjoyed pretty much the same, although there were a couple of things in book 5 that kept me from rating it as highly as the others.

Agreed! Book 3 is the weakest thus far (I've read up to book 8) and for the most part, they're consistently full of action and adventure. In book 7 you'll find out which family branch Amy & Dan belong to, so... something to look forward to :)

>85 alcottacre: & 86 - That's good to know. We'll keep plugging along, even if Book 3 isn't quite as good as the first two. I'm excited to find out which family branch Amy & Dan belong to.

Book #58 - Away - Amy Bloom - Finished May 12, 2010

Categories: audio, TIOLI
Pages: 256

Lillian Leyb is a Jewish immigrant to NYC in the mid-1920s. She fled from Russia after her husband, mother, and father were killed, and she was separated from her daughter Sophie. Lillian is street-smart. She quickly gets a job as a seamstress at a Yiddish theater and learns much about American culture. When some news reaches her that makes her want to return to Russia, we follow her on a difficult journey across the country and up through the Yukon.

This book was OK, but it just never really grabbed me. The story itself was interesting enough, and some of the episodes within the plot were very well told. But the book as a whole felt a little choppy. I liked Lillian and rooted for her, but I never really felt like I got to know her. And the ending was somewhat disappointing. The story ended somewhat abruptly, and the fates of the characters were summarized in just a few pages at the end of the book. I wonder if this book might have worked better for me in print than on audio.

Book #59 - The Sea of Monsters - Rick Riordan - Finished May 13, 2010

Categories: YA, series
Pages: 279

Book #2 in the Percy Jackson series. I think that this one was even better than the first. Percy goes on another quest. This time he's accompanied not only by Annabeth, but also by Tyson, a Cyclops. The plot moves along quickly with a satisfying ending to the quest. But at the same time, Riordan provides more details about the bigger problems facing Percy, his friends, and the Gods. I'm looking forward to more of this series.

Amy, I read Away a couple of years ago and really liked it. I'm sorry you didn't.

#89: I think the series improves from book to book, so I hope you (and your boys?) continue to enjoy them, Amy.

>90 brenzi: - Bonnie - I thought I would like Away too, based on the summary, but maybe it just wasn't the right time for me.

>91 alcottacre: - Stasia - I'm glad to hear that the Percy Jackson series keeps getting better. I've already got the next one on my shelf. But I'm not reading them with the boys. I got the first one thinking that I'd read them aloud, but they keep picking other books for me to read to them, and I just couldn't wait. I'll be ready to read them again when they are ready for them!

Book #60 - The Help - Kathryn Stockett - Finished May 16, 2010

Categories: borrowed from Mom, current fiction
Pages: 451

I had heard a lot of hype about this book, but hadn't picked it up for myself yet. When my mom recently read it, she loved it and loaned me her copy with strict instructions to read it right away. I wasn't disappointed.

I'm sure many of you have read or heard about this book. It is told from the perspective of three women in Jackson, Mississippi, during the mid-1960s. Skeeter has just graduated from the University of Mississippi and returned home to live with her family and dream of becoming a writer. Aibileen is a black maid, working for one of Skeeter's friends and helping to raise her daughter Mae Mobley. Minny is also a black maid, who finds work with a white lady who seems to have some deep secrets. Their alternating voices combine to provide a vivid picture of the struggles that each face in Jackson at this historic time.

I've read a range of reactions to this book, but for me, the story worked very well. Each voice was distinct and complex. Stockett maintains the tension throughout the book, not resolving the suspense until the final chapter. The loose ends were not tied up too neatly, but the resolution was satisfying.

But my favorite part of the book was Stockett's ability to capture her characters' desires to be known. Especially for the women who served as maids, their desire to have their stories heard - not praised, not celebrated, but just heard - was the driving force behind the risks that they took. Stockett beautifully captures the emotions that come with being heard - the relief, the joy, and the fear. These are characters who will stick with me for a long time.

This is one of my best reads of the year.

I had heard of The Help and it's currently sitting prettily in my TBR Tower. Your review is making me think I should move it up a little.

>94 cameling: Move it, move it, move it Caroline. You will not be disappointed.

Amy, Minnie was my favorite. Her humor was just so well done. How about you?

I am glad you liked The Help. I really enjoyed it. It is one of my more memorable reads this year as well. I kept looking at her picture to make sure she was still white - the voices of her characters were so believable.

*sigh* One of these days I will get to The Help.

Ooh - bought The Help last week and am really looking forward to it! Nice review - thanks.

>94 cameling:, 97, 98 - Caroline, Stasia, and Cushla - I'll look forward to your thoughts on The Help. I have to say it took a little nagging from my mom to get me to pick it up. I couldn't imagine that it would live up to the hype. But, for me at least, it did!

>95 brenzi: - Bonnie - I loved all three of the main characters, but I think that Aibileen was my favorite. Her relationship with Mae Mobley was so sweet. And when she told her Martian Luther King story, I cracked up.

>96 nittnut: - Jenn - I agree! Stockett did a really nice job of capturing the voices of three very different women. I read that she was nervous about trying to write in the voices of the Black characters.

Oh, Minnie was my favorite too. I loved her feisty personality. When she gets the job outside town, there were some really funny parts. And of course, the pie.

I started reading The Help for a group discussion, and didn't get all the way through it. I'm thinking my lack of enthusiasm had more to do with me and what kind of book I was in the mood for at the time, rather than the qualities of the book itself.

I plan to go back to it eventually when someone else isn't setting the timetable for reading it. I definitely like the premise of the story!

>101 tymfos: - Terri - That happens to me often. I'm not very good at readings books on other people's timetables. I hope you enjoy The Help more when you go back to it - although I keep thinking that there must be a few people out there who just won't click with this book.

Book #61 - The High King - Lloyd Alexander - Finished May 21, 2010

Categories: group read, series, YA
Pages: 253

This is the fifth and final book in the Chronicles of Prydain. In The High King, Alexander wraps up a number of loose ends. Taran continues developing into a more mature character as the battle between good and evil comes to a head. I enjoyed the series as a whole and felt like this was a fitting conclusion.

Book #62 - Pomegranate Soup - Marsha Mehran - Finished May 23, 2010

Categories: group read
Pages: 222

This is the June selection for my real-life book club. Marjan, Bahar, and Layla, sisters who have escaped the Iranian Revolution, find themselves in a small village in Ireland where they open the Babylon Cafe. They face a mixed reaction from the town's residents, some of whom welcome them with open arms and others who are suspicious of the odd smells coming from the cafe. But the mixed reactions of the townspeople are nothing compared to what the sisters have been through in Iran. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn more about the sisters' past and come to understand how their past has influenced their relationships and fears.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The three sisters are interesting characters, each with her own reaction to the past. A number of the townspeople play well-developed supporting roles. The story unfolds slowly, with both the past and the present becoming clearer as the book goes along. The most interesting part of the book is the way that Mehran weaves food into the story. Each chapter starts with a recipe for a Middle Eastern dish that plays an important role in the story.

There are some rough spots in the plot. A few pieces of the story fall into place a little too easily. But, this is a solid debut novel.

I just noticed that Mehran published a sequel to this novel a couple of year ago - Rosewater and Soda Bread. Has anyone read that one?

#104: I already have that one in the BlackHole, but my local library does not have it yet nor Rosewater and Soda Bread. Sorry I cannot comment on it, Amy.

Book #63 - Beatrice and Virgil - Yann Martel - Finished May 24, 2010

Categories: current fiction
Pages: 197

I read Life of Pi several years ago and liked it a lot. So, when I heard about the release of Beatrice and Virgil, my ears immediately perked up. As I learned a little more about the story itself, I wasn't so sure I'd like it, but I couldn't resist picking it up off the new books shelf at my library last week.

Beatrice and Virgil tells the story of Henry, an author with two successful novels. But when he write a flip book that combines a novel and an essay about the Holocaust, he receives very negative feedback from his editors. He is so discouraged that he quits writing and moves with his wife to an unidentified large city. He is contacted by a taxidermist who has written a play about a donkey named Beatrice and a howler monkey named Virgil and needs Henry's help. As the two men work together, we learn a lot about the power of fiction to illuminate truths that cannot be conveyed any other way.

This book was one of the best that I've read this year. First, Martel can write. Consider this quote from Henry about the need for stories:

"With a historical event, we not only have to bear witness, that is, tell what happened and address the needs of ghosts. We also have to interpret and conclude, so that the needs of people today, the children of ghosts, can be addressed" (p. 15).

Or this description of a Sunday at the beginning of spring:

"It was a Sunday that was gloriously living up to its pagan name, a bold rebel burst of warm weather that announced the impending vanquishing of winter" (p. 119).

In addition, this book conveys some incredibly powerful ideas in a small package (less than 200 small pages). We come to know Henry intimately. We struggle with indescribable horrors and how they can be conveyed and remembered and dealt with. There were so many important ideas conveyed by this book that as I closed the back cover, I felt as though I could open the front cover and begin reading again.

This book is also incredibly creative. Pieces of the play Beatrice and Virgil are embedded within the story about its creation. This combination works well. Through drama and prose and prose about drama, Martel echoes important themes again and again.

And then there was the plot twist. This is not a book that I expected to have a plot twist. It is a book that is more about ideas than plot. But the ending will stick with me for a long time. It was surprising, but oddly fitting for this complex book.

I was hesitant to read this book, and I'm a little hesitant to recommend it. It isn't a book that everyone will like. But for me, it was incredibly powerful - one of my best of the year.

Wow, that sounds good. I have never read Life of Pi, being put off by how famous it was I think. But since this one is less famous, I'll try it and see.

I loved Life of Pi and now I'm extra looking forward to Beatrice and Virgil. Thanks for a great review!

I haven't read Life of Pi and I might skip Beatrice and Henry, but am going to look out for Pomegranate Soup. I haven't read anything about Iran except Reading Lolita in Tehran, which I enjoyed.

I was hoping Martel's follow up to Life of Pi would be a good one and your review sounds very positive, so on to the wish list.

>107 JanetinLondon:, 108, 110 - Janet, Jenn, and Lynda - I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on Beatrice and Virgil when you read it.

>109 cushlareads: - Cushla - I enjoyed Reading Lolita in Tehran too - probably more than Pomegranate Soup. Pomegranate Soup is much lighter. The story mostly takes place after the three sisters have left Iran, so much of the book is about the interactions in a small town - new friends, a romance, some conflict. It's only when the story flashes back to the sisters' experiences in Iran that we come to understand how difficult their life was then. But it was still a good read.

I've heard disparate comments about Life of Pi, but I really liked it, so I think I'll like Beatrice and Virgil too. And I guess I was lucky to find David Eggers book on my library's shelves last week. I wasn't sure how much I wanted to read it, but since I agree with you on Away and The Help as well as Life of Pi, I'm expecting to like it.

>112 bonniebooks: - Bonnie - Oh, the pressure! I hope you like both Beatrice and Virgil and the Dave Eggers book!

Book #64 - Frankie Pickle and the Pine Run 3000 - Eric Wight - Finished May 26, 2010

Category: read aloud
Pages:84

This is the second Frankie Pickle book that I've read to my six-year-old son. We love this series. This time, Frankie is competing in the Pine Run 3000 (a race that bears a striking similarity to the Cub Scout's Pinewood Derby). Part of the story is told in graphic novel format (the parts in which Frankie is a hero named Super Pickle) and the rest is told in chapter format. The story moves along quickly, and Frankie is a likeable character. We're looking forward to the release of the next book in this series.

Book #65 - The 39 Clues Book 3: The Sword Thief - Peter Lerangis - Finished May 31, 2010

Category: read aloud
Pages: 160

My older son insisted that we start this book as soon as we finished the 2nd book in the series. In this installment, Amy and Dan continue searching for the 39 clues. I agree with Stasia and Faith that this isn't the strongest book in the series, but it continued to hold my son's interest. We're book excited to see what happens next.

We finished this book in a marathon reading session this weekend because my son's book report auction is coming up. All year, his teacher has given 1-10 points for each book report the kids have completed. This week, they get to spend their points for prizes at an auction. This has kept my son excited about reading all year!

Summary of May Reading:

Total: 13 books

1 non-fiction (Goal 3)
8 fiction
4 read-aloud to my kids (Goal 2)

0 off the shelf (Goal 1)
1 borrowed from Mom (Goal 1)
3 from my TBR list (Goal 5)
3 group reads (Goal 6)
0 presidential biography (Goal 3)
0 classic (Goal 4)

Best book of the month: The Help
Other Good Reads: The Wild Things, Pomegranate Soup, Beatrice and Virgil

It was not a good month for several of my goals (1 non-fiction, 0 Presidential bios, 0 classics, 0 off the shelf), but I did read several good books and read four books aloud to my kids.

>115 porch_reader:: Yay! Glad it held both your attentions to want to keep going :) I wish we'd had rewards for doing book reports when I was in grade school... if I recall, reading lots of books only got me teased instead!

#115: Congratulations to your son's teacher for keeping her students interested in reading throughout the entire school year. I hope your son gets some cool prizes for his efforts!

#115 Sounds very similar to my son's school. He needs to finish Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and a short test by Friday to receive 37 points. 200 pages to go! eek! No auction at his school though, it sounds like a brilliant idea.

I have yet to pick up the next 39 Clues. My son keeps bugging me to read it. I'll have to do it soon. It's probably a good "by the pool" read for this month.

We haven't been doing book reports at our school. They have something called the accelerated reader program. Each book is assigned a number of points, and after they read it they take a test and are awarded up to the maximum book total depending on the test score. My 6 year old is in books that are worth .5 points, and my 11 year old is reading books that are around 30 points. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire would be worth 32 points. It is interesting because the 6 year old goal is about 4 AR points per quarter, the 11 year old is 100 points per quarter. Oddly, it averages out to about the same effort for each of them.

Wow. I hope I haven't just put everyone to sleep. I just think it's interesting what different schools do for reading.

We have Accelerated Reader at our school system, too. The kids can use the points they earn to "buy" little prizes from the "AR store."

The books are given reading "levels" as well as point values. Since our public library tries to cooperate closely with the area school systems, one of my jobs is to check and see which of our books have AR tests available, and to mark them with stickers that indicate the AR reading level. (It's an unending job, since they keep adding titles to the test list.)

It's so interesting to hear how different schools encourage reading! Ben had his auction today and came home with all kinds of stuff - a pool noodle, a water gun, a harmonica, etc., etc., etc. Now we're getting ready to start the summer reading program. There's a guy who makes costumes out of balloons coming to our library for the kick off next Tuesday!

Congratulations Ben!

Book #66 - Nothing is Impossible: A Women of Faith Devotional - Women of Faith - Finished June 1, 2010

Category: spiritual
Pages: 243

I attended a Women of Faith event earlier this year, and I bought this book of devotions written by several of the women involved in the event. Like the Women of Faith event, each of the devotions illustrates the idea that God's love is endless and his mercy pours out like a flood. Some of the chapters spoke to me more than others, but overall, this book served to reinforce the positive message of the event.

Book #67 - Wild Pitch #1 (Backyard Sports) - Michael Teitelbaum - Finished June 3, 2010

Category: read aloud
Pages: 80

I read this to my kindergartner (almost first grader!). It is a book based on the Backyard Sports video game. I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much, but it wasn't bad. We got an exciting story about a well-matched three-game series between the Backyard Bombers and the Sluggin' Tigers with a sportsmanship lesson thrown in as well. I ordered a couple of the other books in this series as a Last Day of School (June 8) present for Matt.

I'm running in place and trying to catch up on threads.
I'm reading yours today during lunch.

Happy Summer to you Amy. I imagine this summer will be a tad more relaxed than last year because you know have tenure and don't need to spend time preparing for that accomplishment.

I'm chiming in on the book Away. I finished it this morning (via audio book). I wrote a review stating that the author did not need to go into graphic sexual detail throughout. It really, in my opinion, detracted from the story line.

It is a crying shame because the story line was good.

I just thought the plot started getting more and more implausible, so wasn't enamored with it at all by the end.

>126 Whisper1: & 127 - Linda and Bonnie - Good points about Away. I was disappointed in it too. I wonder if I would like Amy Bloom's short stories better. Thanks for stopping by!

My reading is going SLOWLY these days. The kids are on summer break, so I'm trying to squeeze in fun summer activities along with some work. Tomorrow I get to go to Cub Scout Day Camp! But, I have managed to finish a couple of books.

Book #68 - The Homework Machine - Dan Gutman - Finished June 11, 2010

Categories: YA, read-aloud
Pages: 146

I read this aloud to my older son (who will be in 4th grade in the fall). We both LOVED it. The story is told from the perspective of four 5th grade students (as well as an occasional aside from their teacher, moms, and other adults). I've seen books in which each chapter is told from a different perspective, but in this book, Gutman jumps between perspectives throughout each chapter. Sometimes a character only contributes a sentence or two before another jumps in. The format had the potential to be somewhat distracting, but Gutman pulled it off beautifully. We felt like we got to know each of the kids very well. Each was distinct, and the story of the homework machine could not have been told as effectively without each of their unique perspectives.

I highly recommend this one!

By the way, kudos to my son who put up with my attempts to read each character in a different voice!

Book #69 - The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan - Finished June 13, 2010

Categories: YA, series
Pages: 516

When this book came out, I took note. I've read 2 of the Percy Jackson books and the 39 Clues book that Riordan wrote, and I enjoyed them all. But my intention wasn't to read it right away. I've got tons of other books that I need to get to, and this is the first book of a new series. So, I planned to read it later - maybe after another book in the series was out.

But when I saw it sitting on the YA shelf at my local library, I couldn't resist. I picked it up and started it, even though I was in the middle of a couple of other books. Eventually, it pushed everything else out of the way, and I gulped it down over the weekend.

What a wonderful start to a new series! Usually, I think that series start a little slow. I have to get to know the characters. In a fantasy series, there is even more to learn about the world that we're in. But Riordan started this one off with lots of action and never let up. Along the way, we get to know Sadie and Carter Kane - a brother and sister who don't know each other very well. Since their mother's death, Carter has traveled with his archeologist father, and Sadie has lived with her mom's parents. But when Carter and Mr. Kane return for an annual visit with Sadie, things do not go as planned, and Carter and Sadie find themselves facing a huge challenge together. The book ends with enough of a resolution to be satisfying, but with lots of issues for future books to resolve.

Other things that I liked about this book:

Riordan uses the alternating voices of Sadie and Carter to tell the story very effectively. I felt like Sadie is the better developed of the two. Carter seemed a bit flat, but even so, the contrasting perspective provided even more insight into the challenges they faced and the people/magicians/gods/baboons they encountered.

The links to Egyptian gods and history were interesting. Just as I wanted to read Greek mythology after the Percy Jackson books, this one made me want to dig into Ancient Egypt.

Riordan also displays a great sense of humor. There are a number of funny lines - including the title of chapter 35, "Men Ask for Directions (and Other Signs of the Apocalypse)."

The only problem with this book is that now I have to wait a while for the next one to come out!

I just got The Red Pyramid for my son. Maybe I'll sneak it back and read it! Great review!

I have had The Red Pyramid in the BlackHole ever since I heard about it coming out, but does my local library have a copy yet? Of course not! Argg!!

Book #70 - When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes - Jay Feldman - Finished June 16, 2010

Categories: non-fiction, group read
Pages: 305

I picked this book up because it is the June read for the Missouri Readers Group. I grew up in Northeastern Missouri, and I was a senior in high school when Dr. Iben Browning (a climatological and business consultant) predicted that the New Madrid fault system would produce a large earthquake. That prediction turned out to be false. But, in December 1811, a large earthquake struck along the New Madrid fault in what is now Southeastern Missouri and caused a great deal of damage. A series of aftershocks continued through April 1811. Feldman provides an interesting description of the people who were impacted by the earthquakes. In doing so, he also pulls together several strands of history (including the development of the steamboat, a slave murder, and the prophecy of Tecumseh regarding the quakes).

Although I found much of the book interesting, the pace dragged a bit for me at times. As Feldman wove together various incidents of history, the story jumped about a bit. This book didn't quite live up to its subtitle, but it was an interesting view of this period of history.

Book #71 - Backyard Sports: Inside Edge - Michael Teitelbaum - Finished June 18, 2010

Category: juvenile, read-aloud
Pages: 78

This is the second in the Backyard Sports series that I have read to my 6-year-old son. (My 9-year-old listens too - I think he likes these about as much as my 6-year-old.) This book focuses on Tony, an outstanding hockey player who gets invited to play on his older brother's team. Tony struggles to keep his commitments to his friends while also living up to his older brother's expectations. This was another interesting story that gave us a chance to talk about how my boys would have handled a similar situation.

Good comments on When the Mississippi Ran Backwards, Amy, both here and on the Missouri Reader's thread. It's one of those books that get a bit dry in places, but you're glad you read it when you're through with it. At least that's the way I felt about it.

I hope your summer is going well. Are the boys staying busy? My grandkids have been in VBS and the older one (age 8) is going to be taking golf lessons this week. She's looking forward to playing with her dad sometime!

Book #72 - A Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin - Finished June 21, 2010

Categpry: fantasy, series
Pages: 704

I have not read a lot of fantasy. But reading many of your threads has piqued my interest. One night, I was checking out the books available for my Kindle, and I downloaded a sample chapter of A Game of Thrones. I started reading, and I was hooked.

In this first book in A Song of Ice and Fire series, Martin expertly builds a world peopled with kings, queens, lords, ladies, and knights. Prominent families, including the Lannisters, the Starks, and the Targaryens, play their game of thrones, fighting for control of the Seven Kingdoms. In the meantime, the long summer season is ending, and unusual things are happening north of the Wall that is guarded by the Night's Watch. At the end of this book, we are left with a number of unresolved issues that made me want to immediately begin the next book.

I enjoyed this book for a number of reasons. The story is fast-paced. I spent a lot of time trying to sort out good guys from bad guys and figure out what might happen next. I was surprised by a number of plot points, but Martin's story was always believable. Martin drops us right into the middle of his world. Throughout the book, we gradually learn more about the history and the oddities of the Seven Kingdoms. The cast of characters is diverse and interesting. Martin creates characters that are compelling within a page or two, but that continue to grow and develop throughout the story. It just all works.

I did not need to start another series, but now that I have, I can't wait to read the next installment!

>135 Donna828: - Thanks, Donna! I agree - I was glad that I read When the Mississippi Ran Backwards despite the fact that it was a little slow in the middle.

Is your granddaughter enjoying golf? My boys are taking golf lessons this week too. My son's 3rd grade teacher is also the High School golf coach, so he does a golf camp for elementary kids. This is their third straight week of camp (baseball, Cub Scout, and now golf), so they've stayed busy. Next week, we leave for vacation. We're spending a week along the Michigan side of Lake Michigan.

I liked your review of A Game of Thrones. I've got that book in my TBR Tower but haven't managed to get to it yet. I think I'll have to move it up a step or 2.

Me too. I think A Game of Thrones sounds great. I've seen it my library catalog, but so far not found it on the shelf. Your review makes me think I might try and reserve it.

Edited to say I have given your review a thumbs up.

#136: I refuse to start that series until Martin sees fit to finish it!

>138 cameling: & 139 - Caroline and Janet - I'll be interested to hear what you think of A Game of Thrones. Mark also told me that there's an HBO series based on the book coming out in a few months. But it looks like the series has been stalled after Book 4 for quite while, so beware!

>140 alcottacre: - Stasia - Where were you when I started A Game of Thrones?! I vaguely remembered reading something about this series being stalled, but I jumped right in anyway. Now that I've seen your post, I've Googled around, and it looks completely uncertain when the next book of the series will come out. Ugggh!

Book #73 - In This Mountain - Jan Karon - Finished June 23, 2010

Category: audio
Pages: 400

This is the last book (#7) in the Mitford series. I've read them all and always enjoy the home-y comforts of Mitford. Father Tim, his wife Cynthia, and their friends and neighbors deal with troubles like those found in many small towns. At this point in the series, Karon has developed a huge number of familiar characters and keeps her readers entertained with the intertwined storylines. These books work very well for me on audio, and I've enjoyed spending my drives to and from work with the good folks of Mitford.

I loved the Mitford series .. I'm looking forward to her next book in the series that's scheduled for release in October

#141: I was right here, Amy. If I had know beforehand that you were starting the book, I would have warned you!

>143 cameling: - Caroline - I didn't realize that Karon's next book is coming in October. I'll be watching for that one!

>144 alcottacre: - Oh, you're right, Stasia! I must have been hoping for you to read my mind!

Book 74 - The Lumby Lines - Gail Fraser - Finished June 24, 2010

Category: TBR list, series
Pages: 319

I first read about this book on Cheli's (cyderry) thread, and it sounded like a book that I would enjoy. I slipped it into an order of "happy end of school" books for my kids.

Mark and Pam Walker are visiting the small town of Lumby when they stumble upon Montis Abbey, an abandoned monastery that was devastated by fire. They are somewhat dissatisfied with their life back on the East Coast and decide to renovate Montis and open a bed-and-breakfast. But opening a business in a small town also means overcoming the townspeople's concerns about outsiders. As Mark and Pam struggle to gain acceptance and make their dream a reality, we come to know the people of Lumby and learn some secrets about past events at Montis.

I love books about small towns, but only when the author captures the essence of the town. I grew up outside a small town of about 300. I currently live in a town of just over 2000 people. I'm fairly impatient with books that stereotype small towns. But I think Fraser's portrayal of Lumby is dead on. I especially like the clips from Lumby's newspaper, the Lumby Lines.

I also love books about people who are doing something new and pursuing their "good life." Mark and Pam's decision to quit their jobs on the East Coast and move to Lumby seemed a bit hasty to me, but I love the description of the work that they do to renovate Montis Inn. This part of the story was very compelling to me.

I also love books where I truly care about the characters. The Lumby Lines got off to a bit of a slow start for me in this regard. All of the characters seemed a bit guarded to me. It was probably Mark that I warmed up to first, but by about halfway through the book, I cared about a number of the characters. I'm excited to see them develop in future books in this series.

Overall, I'm thrilled that I had the chance to visit Lumby. This was a great summer read for me!

I will be reading that one soon too. I am glad you enjoyed it, Amy.

Book #75 - Stones into Schools - Greg Mortenson - Finished June 27, 2010

Category: non-fiction, TBR
Pages: 420

Three Cups of Tea is one of my favorite books of all time. Stones into Schools is even better. Mortenson picks up where he left off in Three Cups of Tea. We learn about his ongoing work building schools in Pakistan and his recent efforts in Afghanistan. He writes convincingly of the importance of building schools and supporting girls' education. His passion for his work is contagious.

The book is written in a very conversational style. Greg and his colleagues face a number of challenges, and I was fascinated by the stories of how they overcame these challenges. This book features a number of interesting characters. I especially liked learning more about the Dirty Dozen, 12 diverse men who do much of the work of the Central Asia Institute. The book also provides an important view of life in rural areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

I can't imagine a better book for my 75th. I highly recommend this one!

Congrats on reaching 75!

Stones Into Schools is on my TBR pile after I finished Three Cups of Tea earlier this year. I've been told Stones Into Schools is even better because it's straight from Greg's perspective and I look forward to reading it. Glad you enjoyed it!

Hooray! You got the bouncy guy.

Congratulations on reaching #75. Stones Into Schools is near the top of my TBR pile. I also really enjoyed Three Cups of Tea. I am looking forward to the sequel.

>149 RosyLibrarian: - Yes, I think that's exactly why I liked Stones Into Schools so much - it was interesting to hear Mortenson's perspective. The challenges of going into Afghanistan were also quite interesting. I hope you enjoy it!

>150 alcottacre: & 151 - Thanks, Stasia and Jenn! This is the earliest that I've reached 75 since I started keeping track - although 24/75 were read alouds to my kids. Their "one more chapter" plea is very persuasive.

Summary of June:

Total: 10 books

3 non-fiction (Goal 3)
4 fiction
3 read-aloud to my kids (Goal 2)

1 off the shelf (Goal 1)
1 borrowed from Mom (Goal 1)
1 from my TBR list (Goal 5)
1 group reads (Goal 6)
0 presidential biography (Goal 3)
0 classic (Goal 4)


Best fiction of the month: A Game of Thrones
Best nonfiction of the month: Stones into Schools
Best young adult of the month: The Red Pyramid

Congratulations! And the year is only half over. I'm looking forward to reading Stones Into Schools. A stellar topic indeed for your 75th book.

Congrats!

Books read out loud to kids count equally in my mind. I often get as much enjoyment as they do. The Willoughby's is one example that comes to mind.

Great June, Amy! Can't wait to see what you read in July.

Congratulations on reaching the goal. I love the Mitford series..and need to read the latest one you listed above.

Stones Into Schools is a wonderful book and an inspiring story. We got to see him speak this year when the book was first published. If you get the chance, go see him.

>154 Donna828:, 155, 157, 158 - Thanks, Donna, Jim, Marcia, and Linda!!

>156 nittnut: - Jenn - We haven't read The Willoughby's yet. Onto the list it goes.

>159 blackdogbooks: - Mac - How cool that you got to see Mortenson speak! I would love to see him!

Congratulations Amy, on reaching 75 already.

>161 brenzi: - Thanks, Bonnie!

OK, here's my 6-month review. It's been a pretty good reading year so far.

Total: 75 books

13 non-fiction (Goal 3)
38 fiction
24 read-aloud to my kids (Goal 2)

5 off the shelf (Goal 1)
6 borrowed from Mom (Goal 1)
9 from my TBR list (Goal 5)
12 group reads (Goal 6)
3 presidential biography (Goal 3)
2 classic (Goal 4)

I can't even begin to narrow down my top 5 yet, but here are some books that I've loved this year!

The Moonflower Vine - Jetta Carleton
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford
The Unnamed - Joshua Ferris
The Help - Kathryn Stockett
The Wild Things - Dave Eggers
Beatrice and Virgil - Yann Martel
The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan
The Lumby Lines - Gail Fraser
Stones into Schools - Greg Mortenson
Theodore Roosevelt: A Life - Nathan Miller

What a great 6-month review, Amy! You must be thrilled with your reading year thus far.

Congrats on the big 75! (In only half a year!)

>164 alcottacre: & 165 - Thanks, Stasia and Terri!

I'm so glad to see The Moonflower Vine on your list of memorable reads for the year. It will be hard to narrow that list down to five or whatever arbitrary number we strive for at the half-year mark. I hope your second half is just as memorable!

Thanks, Donna!

This seems like a good breaking point, so I've started a new thread here. Hope to see you there!